Cold Sores

Treatment Duration
30

Suggested Sessions
2-4 times/year

What is Cold Sore?

Cold sore is a skin infection that affects millions of people around the world.

It appears on the lips and perioral area in the form of painful blisters and is highly contagious. Cold sores are not curable, while the therapeutic approach is to manage the annoying symptoms it causes.

It caused by HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) type 1 infection

HSV-1, which causes cold sore, if transmitted to the genitals can cause genital herpes.

Genital herpes is caused by HSV type 2 infection and also if transmitted to the lips it can cause cold sores.

Infection with the virus is one of the most common infections since it is estimated that the majority of people under the age of 50 carry the virus in their body.

Genital Herpes

Cold sores tends to recur periodically and causes social anxiety in the carriers of the lesions.

Who does Cold Sores affect?

Cold sores affect people of all ages. Exposure to the virus usually occurs in childhood and since then the virus travels through the body until it finds the next occasion to manifest itself.

Most of us have been infected with the cold sore virus, while many also do not know that they are carriers of the virus and can spread it.

The frequency with which cold sores or cold sores occur varies from person to person. It can occur many times in a year or be limited to 1 or 2 episodes in a lifetime. Usually over time the number of episodes of cold sores decreases.

Transmission

Cold sores are highly contagious. It is usually spread through saliva and direct contact.

Cold sores are mainly spread by:

Direct skin contact with the lesions.
With sexual intercourse (oral).
With kisses.
By sharing glasses, forks, etc.
By sharing lip cosmetics.

The virus that causes herpes labialis (HSV-1) is transmitted even when the skin lesions are not visible.

Why does Cold Sores appear?

HSV-1 is the virus responsible for cold sores, while HSV-2 causes genital herpes. HSV-1 can also be transmitted to the genitals through oral sex, while more rarely HSV-2 can also cause cold sores on the lips.

Symptoms

Cold sores manifest as one or more small fluid-filled blisters on and around the lips, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus.

It can also appear on other parts of the body from your mouth if you touch a cold sore and then a spot on your body.

Usually after about 48 hours the blisters open and after 10 or 15 days they subside and the damage in the area heals without leaving any marks.

Cold sores often give warning signs a day or two before they appear. Symptoms may vary from person to person. However. at the site where the herpes will appear you may feel:

Tingling or numbness
Heartburn
Itch
Edema
Pain in the lips

The main symptom of the virus is the appearance of lesions on the lips. These lesions look like small bubbles or blisters and contain liquid while causing a strong burning sensation and itching.

Sometimes, they may be accompanied by nausea, headache, fever or even a sore throat.

After the skin infection subsides, the virus is "deactivated" and remains in the body.

Use over-the-counter cold sore medications with early symptoms. They can reduce their duration.

Factors that "activate" Cold Sores

Factors that can trigger the appearance of herpes on the lips are:

Stress
The exhaustion
An illness such as the flu or a cold
An injury to the area where the herpes outbreak occurs (eg a cut)
Extreme temperatures
Hormonal changes

Cold Sores Diagnosis

A dermatologist can diagnose herpes by clinical examination. If necessary, he may also take a sample from the ulcer for laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis.

In people who have a low immune system, a sample is taken from the lesion, which will undergo a laboratory test to determine the type of virus and the possible presence of antibodies in the body.

Ask the doctor

Dr. Loizidis Christoforos

Dermatologist - Venereologist

210 69 29 999

For the effective treatment of injuries, the early initiation of treatment plays a decisive role! (first 24 - 48 hours).

Cold Sores or Canker?

Two medical conditions that look similar but are not the same thing are cold sores and canker sores.

Canker sores are small, painful lesions that develop on the inside of the mouth, unlike cold sores, which develop on the surface of the lips. Their causes are not clear, but canker sores are not contagious or life-threatening.

Cold Sores Treatment

For most patients, no special treatment is required. Since the virus cannot be permanently removed from the body, treatment is aimed at treating the lesions.

To treat the symptoms of cold sores, the doctor will recommend treatment:

Either with topically applied antiviral drugs (creams, ointments, etc.).
Either systemic treatment with oral medications.

Rarely and in more severe cases, the above drugs are not effective, it is possible to administer intravenous therapy to relieve the symptoms.

In addition, if you often experience cold sores on the lips, you can ask your dermatologist to inform you about the possibility of preventive treatment against cold sores.

Now, for aesthetic reasons, some special stickers, also known as patches, are often used, which are impregnated with antiviral drugs!

For immunocompromised diseases, the treatment may be longer depending on the severity of the clinical picture, in order to achieve suppression of the virus and of course proper and frequent follow-up by the dermatologist is required.

Dermatological Examination

As healing progresses it is important to protect your lips with a sunscreen balm.

Complications

If you notice a sore near the eye you should contact an ophthalmologist, as the virus can spread to the eyes. If, for example, your eyes become sensitive to light or you feel pain, it is likely that you need immediate medical treatment so that your vision is not affected.

Also, people suffering from eczema may experience extensive herpes lesions on the body, which need immediate treatment.

Also, infants under 6 months whose immunity is not fully developed, as well as people with weakened immunity are at risk of serious consequences of herpes.

If cold sores last more than 15 days, you should seek the advice of a dermatologist.

Cold Sores Tips

To reduce the cycle of cold sores over time, at the first symptom apply local treatment (creams, ointments, special patches, etc.).
To reduce the pain you can take a common pain reliever.
As a natural treatment for pain, you can apply a piece of ice to the area. Also avoid acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, as well as spicy or salty foods.
To reduce irritation to the area, apply a cool washcloth for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day.

Prevention

You can reduce your chances of getting cold sores by taking the following precautions:

Avoid kissing, direct contact, and oral sex with someone who has cold sores.
Do not share personal items such as towels, razors, cutlery, razors.
Wash your hands before touching your eyes, lips or genitals.

Facts

According to World Health Organization, 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 worldwide have HSV-1 herpes simplex infection.
Treatment for HSV-1 symptoms is most effective when started within 48 hours of their onset.
Most HSV-1 infections are asymptomatic.

συχνές ερωτήσεις για την εμφάνιση την αντιμετώπιση αλλά και την πρόληψη από τον επιχείλιο έρπη

Frequent Questions

Γιατί βγάζω συχνά επιχείλιο έρπη;

Από τη στιγμή που θα μεταδοθεί ο ιός του έρπη, παραμένει αδρανής στο σώμα και εκδηλώνεται μέσα από πολλά ερεθίσματα. Το πόσο συχνά θα παρουσιαστεί ο επιχείλιος έρπης διαφέρει από άτομο σε άτομο, ενώ το θετικό είναι ότι συνήθως την πρώτη φορά τα συμπτώματα είναι σοβαρά, ενώ έπειτα γίνονται πιο ήπια.

Πως φεύγει ο έρπης στα χείλη;

Σήμερα υπάρχουν πολλές διαθέσιμες θεραπείες για την αντιμετώπιση του επιχείλιου έρπη. Καλό είναι να συμβουλευτείτε τον δερματολόγο σας.

Can cold sores go away in a day?

By starting the treatment immediately, as soon as you feel the first symptoms on your lips or face, the more you will speed up the healing cycle of cold sores.

What should I do for the recurrence of cold sores?

The reappearance of cold sores can be caused when someone has intense stress in their daily life, but it can also be due to a weakened immune system or constant re-infection from the virus.

There is a treatment taken by mouth 1 to 2 times a year to prevent infections. Of course, the administration is done after consultation with the dermatologist and after other causes of recurrence have been ruled out.

How can I protect myself from someone who has cold sores?

To begin with, you should of course avoid direct contact with the lesion but also other types of contact such as handshakes, kisses, sexual intercourse and the sharing of objects such as glasses or towels.

It would also be useful to wash your hands often, clean surfaces regularly and of course not touch your face.

Bibliography

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21136-cold-sores
https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/medical/cold-sores
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus